Assessing the Knicks’ first quarter of 2025-26

Through 23 games, the buzzer’s been sounded, and we’re past the first quarter of the New York Knicks’ 82-game season.

Following their 106-100 win on Sunday against the Orlando Magic, the Knicks sit comfortably at 16-7, second in the Eastern Conference, just 2.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons, their 2025 first-round playoff matchup.

Under new head coach Mike Brown, New York has had its best start to a season since the 2012-13 season. At this time last year, under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks had a record of 14-9, two games worse than they do now.

We’re about a month and a half into the season, one that’s been headlined by blockbuster trade rumors, some key injuries, and a stark difference in the team’s play at home vs. on the road.

Through it all, a second-place seeding in the East is almost as good as it can get. Here’s how the Knickerbockers have looked on the court so far, a quarter into the year:

A completely revamped offense under Brown

When Brown was hired, it was expected that his style of coaching would immediately bolster New York’s style of play.

This has been exactly the case for the Knicks, who have one of the most well-oiled offenses in the entire league through the first quarter of the season. Their +8.4 net rating is the highest in the East.

The Knicks remain one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, ranked fourth in average points scored per game at 121.4, a 5.6-point difference compared to last year’s average of 115.8 points per game.

Their high scoring can be attributed to a franchise-high in attempts behind the arc. The Knicks are attempting 41.3 threes per game and are converting them at a highly respectable rate, with a 37.8% clip from long range. They’re third in the league in three pointers made per game, behind only the Warriors and the Celtics.

Staying afloat amidst missed time

Despite several starters and key rotation players missing considerable time throughout the first 23 games, the Knicks remain near the top of the conference.

Jalen Brunson was out for two games after his ankle injury.  Mitchell Robinson has also missed time due to load management.

The Knicks have not played a long stretch with a fully healthy squad, and Mike Brown’s lineup adjustments have kept them afloat.

Even with Karl Anthony-Towns sidelined last night for the first time this season, the Knicks reached their 23rd win, their first against the Orlando Magic, whom they’ve already lost twice to this season.

In their most recent loss to the Magic on Nov. 22, key rotational piece and occasional starter Landry Shamet suffered a shoulder injury, which has left him out of the last eight games.

Before coming back to face the Magic, OG Anunoby was out for 10 games after suffering a hamstring injury during the Knicks’ Nov. 14 win against the Miami Heat. The Knicks still went 7-3 during that stretch without their starting forward.

Knicks continue to light up Garden, but road remains dark

The Knicks’ 13-1 home record is by far the best in the conference. They have the most home wins in the entire league, and it’s their best start in the Garden since the 1992-93 season. It’s the entire reason why they’re second in the East.

Their performance on the road is a whole different story. They’ve notched only three wins in nine games outside MSG, defeating the Mavericks, Nets, and Hornets, teams at the very bottom of the pack.

If they want to be truly considered serious contenders across the league, they’ll have to turn their play around as the away team.